LONG POND, Pa. -- Bill Elliott stalked Sterling Marlin throughout the race, finally passed him with 21 laps remaining Sunday and took the crash- and rain-delayed Pennsylvania 500 to set a record with his fifth career victory at Pocono Raceway.

''It seems like the guy who was out in front had the advantage,'' Elliott said. ''I gave it everything I had.''

The win was the first on the mountaintop since 1989 for the 46-year-old driver from Dawsonville, Ga. It also was the 42nd in the career of the 1988 NASCAR champion, who went winless in six years as an owner-driver before selling his team and joining Evernham Motorsports last season.

The race turned into a marathon of 6 hours, 35 minutes, 51 seconds because of a spectacular accident involving Steve Park on the first lap. Park was not injured in the crash, which forced a delay of 1:05 while repairs were made to the infield retaining wall just beyond the first turn.

The race was halted 25 laps short of its scheduled distance because of darkness. The Associated Press